LNT v. The Outdoor Code

Last night I sat with a couple Scouts, they just crossed over on Friday and were having their Scoutmaster Conference for their Scout Badge. I love this first conference, it is a great way to learn about the new Scout and a little about where he comes from. What amazes me is how open they are in that first conference. They always have questions and for the most part, they are anxious to get to Eagle.
Last night as one of these young men recited the Outdoor Code, he stopped and asked if he could ask a question. I said sure… so he asked, “Why do we need the Outdoor Code when you make us know the Leave No Trace stuff?” I thought for a minute and told him that I would have to get back to him with a good answer.
I wanted to give him the pat answer of how the Outdoor Code is in the book and is a requirement, but then I thought that Leave No Trace is also in the book and a Second Class Requirement. So that one doesn’t work. So I was thinking, why do we need both.
Lets review.The Outdoor Code:
As an American, I will do my best to –
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
Be conservation minded.
Leave No Trace PrinciplesPlan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The LNT program is obviously more in depth and covers every type of camping… The Outdoor Code is more of a pledge or promise.
The LNT program are not just rules, but part of the whole outdoor program. It is a skill set and an attitude.
The Outdoor Code is the promise that we make to live as a steward of the land.
I still do not have a great answer. I suppose that in the final analysis if I had a vote, I would just go with the Leave No Trace program. The Outdoor code, while traditional and easy to remember does very little with our Scouts to develop the attitude of stewardship and responsibility that is required for us in the wilderness and front country alike.
So I think when it comes down to giving this Scout and answer next Monday, its going to be a program vs. a code and how we use it to make a difference and protect our land.

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2 thoughts on “LNT v. The Outdoor Code”

hmm…..nice analysis, but I think I respectfully disagree. I view the code as a statement of principles that drive the way Scouts interact with the outdoors, and Leave No Trace as a set of evolving tactics or skills that implement those principles (remember “pack it in, pack it out”?). Tactics change and are perfected over time…principles drive those changes… Just my 2 cents!

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